West and South Sides of the Vimana Walls, Great Temple, Thanjavur, 1858. Captain Linnaeus Tripe (British, 1822-1902). Albumenized salt print from a waxed paper negative; image: 27.4 x 36 cm (10 13/16 x 14 3/16 in.); paper: 27.4 x 36 cm (10 13/16 x 14 3/16 in.); mounted: 45.3 x 57.3 cm (17 13/16 x 22 9/16 in.). This granite structure is part of one of the largest and most important examples of South Indian temple architecture and continues to this day as an active place of worship. Each niche contains a sculpted figure, and inscriptions run all around its base. It is dedicated to Shiva, one of three primary gods of Hinduism, whose followers recognize him as the ultimate deity who creates, preserves, and destroys everything in the entire universe.